How to Deal with Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Knee pain in growing children is often caused by Osgood-Schlatter disease. Osgood-Schlatter disease is caused by repeated stress to the top of the tibia, where the tendon of the knee cap inserts. The growth plate becomes inflamed due to stress caused by physical activity and can continue until your child stops growing. Complications from Osgood-Schlatter disease are rare, but consult with your family doctor or an orthopedic specialist when symptoms appear.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Listen when your child complains of knee pain. Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs in active children who are experiencing growth spurts.
2. Check your child's knee for swelling, pain and tenderness. If these symptoms occur directly below the knee cap, Osgood-Schlatter disease is indicated.
3. Notice if your child has increased pain after physical activity. The pain caused by Osgood-Schlatter disease can continue until your child stops growing.
4. Examine your child's knee for a bump directly below the knee cap. Osgood-Schlatter disease can cause a bump to form below the knee cap even after the pain and swelling has diminished.
5. Contact your doctor to examine your child. The doctor may want to order x-rays to ensure Osgood-Schlatter disease is the correct diagnosis.
6. Listen to your doctor if he recommends treating the pain and swelling associated with this disease with anti-inflammatory and pain medication. Ice packs and heat pads also provide pain relief.
7. Remove your child from sports programs if the pain is intense. While doctors differ in their recommendations concerning continued participation in sports after an Osgood-Schlatter diagnosis, intense pain does not encourage your child to perfect or enjoy his sport.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult your doctor for the appropriate dosage of over the counter pain relievers for children. Serious injury and death can occur if children are given incorrect amounts of even over the counter medications.